Ramblers youth tournament going strong 

The Ramblers Youth Football Tournament took place for the 15th time over the weekend. Close to 700 children competed in six different age group categories at the Ramblers and Wanderers fields in Windhoek.

With parents and spectators included, about 3 500 people were in attendance for the youth football festival, where some exciting matches and sublime skills were on display.

In the under-17 category, Windhoek Gymnasium won the title after beating DS Football Academy (DSFA) 4-3 on penalties.

Windhoek Gymnasium took the lead in the first half through Likius Ilende, but DSFA equalised through winger Herman Ambimbi after the break when he ran onto a throughpass to put the ball into the net.

In the penalty shootout, Windhoek Gymnasium’s goalie Rockirsch Siamwanda was the hero as he saved two penalties to give them the win.

Both semifinals also went down to the wire with DSFA beating Ramblers 3-2 on penalties, while Windhoek Gymnasium beat DTS 4-3 on penalties.

Despite being on the losing side, DSFA owner Dokkies Schmidt says he was encouraged by their performances in the various age group categories.

“Some of our other teams reached the semifinals in some of the other age groups, so I think as a new football academy, it shows that our hard work is paying off,” he says.

In the under-15 category, SKW won the title after beating DTS 2-1 in the final.

Farenzel Cloete gave SKW an early lead when he stabbed home a cross from the left wing, but DTS soon equalised through a great solo goal by Dominique Kanalelo who broke clear on the left wing and scored from an acute angle.

Both teams had more chances, but it was SKW who broke the deadlock when they won a penalty for a foul after the break, and Mica Davids made no mistake from the spot.

In the semifinals, SKW beat Riverheights 2-1, while DTS beat Windhoek Gymnasium 3-0.

SKW also reached the under-13 final, but here they finished as runners-up to Kaizen Football Acadmey who completed a commanding 3-0 victory.

In the semifinals, KFA beat DTS, while SKW beat Riverheights.

Athletic Club Football Academy ruled the roost in the youngest categories, winning the under-11, under-9 and under-7 titles.

In the under-11 final, they beat Swakopmund Football Club 2-0, in the under-9 final they beat DTS on penalties and in the under-7 final they also beat DTS on penalties.